Card game with numbered cards

ABSTRACT

A method of dealing a card game is taught wherein cards representing dice having a least four sides are utilized using variations of rules for games such as 1) traditional craps game, 2) Four The Money game, high low craps, or roulette. By repeatedly shuffling either two sets of six cards numbered 1 through 6, or one set of 36 cards (representing all of the rolls of a set of two six sided dice) traditional craps rules may be followed. Also taught is a roulette game which is played by having cards representing the numbered slots of a roulette game. A user is allowed to pre-select a space from a plurality of spaces into which a predetermined number of cards are dealt in order to determine the number generated in place of a dice roll while still allowing user interaction in the random decision. Electronic monitoring card numbers, storage of card numbers, and the display of prior outcomes is also discussed. Comparison of the stored information to wagers is made to determine when wagers are won.

PRIORITY STATEMENT

[0001] The patent claims priority based on Provisional Patent No.60/240,019 filed on Oct. 12,2001.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] The invention relates to card games using the generation ofnumbers between a predetermined minimum and a predetermined maximum,such as craps, Four the Money, hi-low craps and roulette. Moreparticularly the invention applies to playing a game of the typepreviously listed utilizing a card deck to generate random rolls andproviding for unique features of tracking and displaying the results.

[0004] 2. Prior Art

[0005] Dice games and card games are known in the prior art. Machineswhich automatically deal from decks and which randomly deal from acertain position in a deck of cards are also known in the art.

GENERAL DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention described herein is best understood as a novelmethod of playing and redesigning roulette or dice games (e.g. craps,Four The Money, High-Low Craps, etc.) by substituting numbered cards fortraditional dice and utilizing modern shuffling technology and uniquelayouts to provide better, random results.

[0007] A technique for playing a wagering game is taught where at leastone random number is needed in order to determine an outcome and whereinthe number is determined by selecting at least one or more randomnumbers within a range and where the numbers are determined bymechanically dealing one or more cards where each card has at least twonumbers or has a single number representing a plurality of numbers(alternatively, at least two cards are dealt and added together to getthe result). One of the cards may even be replaced with a dice to varythe result.

[0008] One method of doing this would be to shuffle multiple sets of sixcards where each set was numbered sequentially one through six so thatthe shuffle and subsequent deal acts numerically identically(statistically) to a six-sided dice.

[0009] A shuffling machine could shuffle the cards so that the sets ofsix would be shuffled together and could use random card selectiontechnologies to randomly deal from the mixed decks. Modern shufflingtechnology for normal card decks may be adapted for these options.

[0010] The dealer could (1) deal out two or more (even all six cards)and turn over one for each dice or (2) deal out one of the 6 cards foreach dice. In order to add various degrees of excitement, by way ofexample, the six cards could be set down in two rows of six each andthen one card from each row could be turned up in order to get a diceroll for a game of craps, Four The Money, or High-Low Craps. To give theplayer the feeling of control, the deal need only deal two cards fromwhich the selection of the player would be made since this wouldintroduce a randomizing feature without dependence on a machine butwould reduce the number of cards to be handled. Also, the display of thenon-picked card could add to the angst which makes these games of chanceso popular.

[0011] Likewise, only one of the cards could be dealt out with a set ofthirty-six cards (each representing a roll of two dice) and that cardcould be the dice roll.

[0012] The two card method (2 sets of 1-6) could be set up so that auser could look at the six dealt cards dealt face down and select one tobe turned up. To prevent marking, the players could select one space of6 and the card dealt to that space would be the one turned up. In orderto provide more excitement, it could be required that one player wouldselect one card location and another player would select a second cardlocation where two players were playing the game. If only one playerwere to play in the game, various similar methods of selecting the cardsautomatically could be established. In the preferred embodiment twosix-sided dice are used. It can be seen that any number of dice sides ordice numbers could be utilized to a similar effect.

[0013] For Roulette, two extra cards would be required representing 0and 00 in addition to the other numbers possible from a roulette wheel.

[0014] Under another method to practice to the invention where theoutcome of two six sided dice are important, the game would be playedhaving at least one of 36 cards dealt out reflecting the 36 combinationsof two six sided dice and the dealer would turn one card up in order torepresent the dice roll of the two dice. In one embodiment, all 36 dicecould be shuffled and one or more dealt out of the set of 36 with aspace selection being made before the deal. The same machine or a secondmachine with a like dice set (or with a more unusual game with adifferent type of dice set) could deal the next deal in a similarmanner. Dice could be dealt from countless decks and recycled accordingto logical dealing sequences. Solid cards are envisioned, but electronicdisplays representing the cards could be used.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, all 36 combinations could bedealt and the players could pick rolls sequentially so that each timeone was picked it was turned over. For Four The Money or High-Low Crapstype games, this would allow the user to obtain a win or a loss based on(1) 4 cards without a seven, or (2) how many of the cards were turned upbefore a target number, usually seven with two six-sided dice, having 36possible combinations.

[0016] A craps game may be set up so that the players sequentially taketurns so that multiple players select cards to turn up, where one playerturns up the cards until a terminating event (a seven after a point intraditional craps) or cards may be electronically selected to be turnedup.

[0017] Because multiple cards are used in the invention, each card maybe electronically or mechanically marked so that a sensor can determinewhat number is displayed. In this way, electronics may track the carddisplayed or the total displayed to track a series of card plays so thatin games where multiple rolls or totals are requires (four the money orhigh roller of the month, for example) or series of rolls are important(different doubles, all or none at all), these may be trackedelectronically. This is more difficult in traditional dice usage becausethe dice must be picked up and set on a location or number punched infor the same result. Here the cards need only be placed at theappropriate location when dealt.

[0018] It is therefore one purpose of the invention to provide for agame which follows rules of various gaming-type dice games utilizingcards and utilizing a novel method of shuffling, dealing and displayingthe cards in order to attempt to maintain the statistical variation inexisting dice games and in order to provide new rules allowing forgreater player entertainment and selection.

[0019] These and other objects and advantages of the invention willbecome better understood hereinafter from a consideration of thespecification with reference to the accompanying drawings forming partthereof, and in which like numerals correspond to parts throughout theseveral views of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] For a further understanding of the nature and objects of thepresent invention, reference should be made to the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in whichlike parts are given like reference numerals and wherein:

[0021]FIG. 1 shows a layout for the preferred embodiment showing aplurality of dealing machines although only a single dealing machine isnecessary to practice the invention.

[0022]FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of the layout shown at 106 shown inFIG. 1.

[0023]FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the layout shown at 106 for FIG. 1.

[0024]FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the layout shown at 106 for FIG. 1.

[0025]FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of the layout shown at 106 for FIG. 1.

[0026]FIG. 6 shows a layout for a single dealing machine.

[0027]FIG. 7 shows a layout which includes an alternate dice means.

[0028]FIG. 8 shows a set of six numbered cards having dots and numericdisplays of quantity.

[0029]FIG. 8a shows two cards of an alternate type usable when one cardrepresents two dice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0030] As can best be seen by reference to FIG. 1 in the preferredembodiment there are four card dealing machines 101 through 104. Infront of each of these, is a space, card holding location 106 to receiveone or more cards. Betting locations are available on the table. Onebetting location 107 which is here shown as a traditional odds wagerlocation, which is typically served exclusively by the dealer. Alsoshown are user betting locations 105, here a Four The Money odds wagerlayout. Here, the odds wager layout shows slots 109 for wagers to beplaced and held. These slots 109 may not take the money; they may simplyserve to hold the wager until the end of the betting period to preventmanipulation of wagers or to prevent these wagers from being disturbedby dice rolls. The slots 109 may also allow the house to track whichbets have been made so that the game can identify winning wager andlosing wagers by lighting the space when a win or lose occurs to easethe handling of multiple wagers of this type. While slots 109 are shownfor this purpose, it is also clear that these slots 109 could bereplaced with sensors of other types which sense the presence of a wagerat the locations where the slots 109 are shown.

[0031] Each wager location allows the player a place to put a wager on aplace to put a wager on a statistical event. For example, a “come bet”allows a wager that a 7, 11 or repeat of a point will occur before a“craps” roll on the “come out” roll or a 7 after the “come out” roll butbefore the repeat of the point.

[0032]FIG. 2 shows one method of defining the card holding location 106.In this embodiment, there are marker spaces 99 a-99 f and 97 a-97 fwhich serve to hold markers 96 and 95 respectively. These markers 95 and96 are placed on one of the marker spaces 99 a-99 f and on one of themarker spaces 97 a-f before the deal. Up to six cards may be dealt tolocations 108 a-108 f and 98 a-98 f. The card on the space with a numbercorresponding to the marker 95 and 96 is the selected card and the twocards are added to determine the value of the resulting deal. Thesecards are shown in FIG. 8.

[0033] In the example shown, marker 96 marks space 99 a and marker 95marks space 97 f so that cards (not shown) dealt to card location 108 aand a card (not shown) dealt to card location 98 f would be the selectedcards. In this example if a “3” was dealt to 108 a and a “4” dealt tolocation 98 f, then the total of 7 is the resulting roll or deal. By wayof alternate example, if card 3 is dealt to location 108 a and anothercard 3 is dealt to location 98 f, in this example of the layout, thetotal would be a 6 “hardway” or a “hard six”.

[0034] If 36 cards are simultaneously shuffled, reflecting each of the36 possible outcomes with two six sided dice, then the outcomes may bedealt to a first single location 120 shown on FIG. 3 as one alternateembodiment of the card holding location 106. These cards are shown inFIG. 8a.

[0035] If two cards are dealt to get the total, but the user does notpreselect the space to which it is dealt, the layout shown in FIG. 2 canbe replaced with the layout shown in FIG. 4 where there is a firstsingle location 120 and a second single location 121 which will receiveone of the six sided dice numbers.

[0036] The card holding locations may work in several different mannersin accordance with the disclosure herein. Six locations 108 a-f areshown so that six different card dice rolls may be displayed and one ofthose may be pre-selected with a marker 96 on spaces 99 a-f. Where twosets of cards are used, each having the numbers sequentially on throughsix, there may be a second set of six locations 98 a-f to display thenext six cards. The same marker 96 for both groups of locations (108 a-fand 98 a-f) or two different markers 95 and 96 for locations 108 a-f and98a-f, respectively, may be used to get the same statistical result.

[0037] Similarly, a card may be turned up either according to itslocation after it is dealt, by being specified by the user or, as setforth above in the preferred embodiment, it the location may be selectedbefore the cards are dealt. It should also be noted that while locationsfor all six cards are shown, only two cards need be dealt, if dealtrandomly, to allow for user selection to play a roll in the randomoutcome.

[0038] Also, a single “roller” may select the card to turn or it may beselected by majority vote of multiple players. The selection process mayoccur before every roll or may be made once and apply to all deals untila terminating event.

[0039] The purpose for having the determination as to which spot wouldhave the card to be turned up before the cards were dealt would be toprevent the possibility of any marking of the cards interfering with therandom of nature of the game.

[0040] A single card may be dealt from the top of the deck or at arandom location determined by a dealing machine. In a situation whereeach of the card dealing machines 101 through 104 deals out a singlecard from 36 cards this one location 120 will display a cardcorresponding to one of the rolls of the two dice (Examples are shown inFIG. 8a). The cards may be marked sequentially from two single dots (a“2”) to two six dots (a “twelve”) so that all possible 36 combinations,of two six sided dice are shown. Where multiple decks are used, a wildcard may be included. In one example, using traditional dice, instead ofone set of 36 cards, two (or more) sets of 36 cards could be used. Thestatistical odds of any roll would be the same (one in 36). One of thecards, however, could bear a special character (not shown) such as adollar (“$”) sign. The odds of this card appearing would be one in 72(in this example) and a bonus could be paid on it's appearance. Thisbonus could be the subject of an additional wager or could be a bonus onthe wagers within the game.

[0041]FIG. 4 shows where decks of six cards are used. A card is dealt tospace 120 for the first card and space 121 for the second card and thespaces are added for a total. This shown where the space 120 has asensor 116 to read a numeric or electronic number marker 114 on the card111 (here a three).

[0042]FIG. 5 shows a modification of the display shown in FIGS. 3 and 4where all combinations (36 in a typical two six sided dice combination)are dealt. The player makes a selection of which space is used accordingto the rules specified. In this layout the user could select one of the36 numbers until a 7 was displayed (high low craps). If more than 36numbers are used extra spaces, here 106 a and 106 b, may be provided toreceive these cards. These extra spaces 106 a and 106 b may,alternatively, be used to accept cards which are terminating events sothat the terminating event may change in accordance with the deal tothese spaces. For example, if a six and a ten were dealt to spaces 106 aand 106 b, the deal could terminate upon turning up a six or ten.

[0043] In addition to utilizing cards in this technique, a random numbergenerator may be utilized in order to display the numbers in the spacesprovided in the form of cards or dice in the layouts embodied herein. Inthe example shown in FIG. 5, blank cards could cover the spacesdisplaying the numbers selected which could be sequentially liftedaccording to the choice of the player.

[0044] Since the invention may be played with a single dealing machine,FIG. 6 shows an embodiment where a single dealing machine 118 deals twocards numbered 1-6 to a first location 120 and a second location 121 inorder to determine a roll. A shuffling machine 119 of the type known inthe art is provided to deal one deck of numbered cards while the otherdecks are dealt by the dealing machine 118. The dealer stands behind achip rack 117. In this embodiment, a craps type game is played having apass line 110, a don't pass/don't come location 115, a come line 113 aswell as a location for field type bets 112 and odds wagers 114. Theexact layout may be identical to a craps layout with the addition of thedealing machines 118, shuffling machine 119 and card display areas, herelocations 120 and 121. A tracking display 122 showing the total of thecurrent roll or the rolls in the series of the rolls before aterminating event may be provided. This display 122 may obtain the totalof the cards through markings on the cards readable on the display areas120 and 121 as described in more detail in reference to FIG. 4 above.

[0045] A first wager location for accepting a wager on at least onestatistical event associated with the random generation of dice tollsaccording to a set of rules based on statistical odds is required formost games of this type. Typically this is a “come” location 110.

[0046]FIG. 7 shows another alternate embodiment based around the generaldisplay shown in FIG. 6 wherein the dice rolls may be obtained throughalternate dice means 123 and 126, here six sided wheels l23 and 126,wherein the roll is determined by the numbered positions on the wheelsrelative to pointers 124 and 125. In this way, the card mechanism isused in conjunction with another mechanism to increase the interest inthe game and to accelerate play.

[0047]FIG. 8 shows a set of six numbered cards having dots and numericdisplays of quantity for the numbers one through six.

[0048]FIG. 8a shows two cards of an alternate type usable when one cardrepresents two dice. By way of example, one card shows a 3-1 combinationto make 4 and the other card shows a 3-3 combination to make a “hardsix”.

[0049] Because many varying and different embodiments may be made withinthe scope of the inventive concept herein taught and because manymodifications may be made in the embodiment(s) herein detailed inaccordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to beunderstood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

1. I claim a game for at least one player comprising: a) at least oneset with a plurality of numerically numbered cards representing thepossible outcomes from a dice means for determining a random numberbetween a predetermined minimum and a predetermined maximum; b) a firstwager location for accept a wager on at least one statistical eventassociated with the random generation of dice tolls according to a setof rules based on statistical odds; c) a location for receiving anddisplaying at least one of said plurality of numerically numbered cardsand: d) a dealing means for dealing at least one of said cards atrandom.
 2. The game of claim 1 wherein the at least one set of aplurality of numerically numbered cards further comprise a first set ofcards and a second set of cards and wherein the dealing means selectsfrom the first set of cards a first numbered card and from the secondset of cards a second numbered card so that the total of the two cardsmay be added to obtain a number combination.
 3. The game of claim 1wherein at least one statistical event is determined from thestatistical events from the group consisting of 1) a traditional crapsgame, 2) a Four The Money game, 3) a high roller of the month game, 4) ahigh low craps, and 5) a roulette game.
 4. The game of claim 1 whereinthe plurality of numbers are cards represents the possible outcome fromcombinations of two dice with at least 4 sides.
 5. The game of claim 2wherein the first set of cards and second set of cards represent thepossible outcomes with a first and second dice having at least 4 sides.6. The game of claim 1 further comprising at least one special cardwhich represent an object other than a number between the predeterminedminimum and predetermined maximum.
 7. The game of claim 6 wherein theselection at random of the special card provides a bonus to the player.8. The game of claim 7 wherein the bonus is from the group consisting of(1) allowing the player to pick any number from at least one numberbetween the predetermined minimum and predetermined maximum for thevalue of the special card, (2) providing a multiple payout, (3)providing a special payout not related to a wager on the occurrence ofthe special card, (4) providing a special payout related to a wager onthe occurrence of the special card, (5) triggering an event to select anadditional play, and (6) triggering an event to select an additionalamount.
 9. The game of claim 8 wherein the special card also bears anumber between the predetermined minimum and predetermined maximum. 10.The game of claim 1 wherein the corresponding dice rolls of a set ofdice having results between the predetermined minimum and predeterminedmaximum are generated by repeatedly shuffling either two sets of sixcards numbered 1 through 6, or one set of 36 cards representing all ofthe rolls of a set of dice.
 11. The invention of claim 1 furthercomprising a plurality of card locations for receiving a plurality ofcards from the dealing means and a user selection location for a user toselect at least one first card location from the plurality of cardlocations.
 12. I claim a method for playing a game for at least oneplayer comprising the steps of: a) dealing at least one of a pluralityof numerically numbered cards representing the possible outcomes from adice means for determining a random number between a predeterminedminimum and a predetermined maximum; b) placing a wager on at least oneof said cards matching at least one statistical event, a first wagerlocation for accept a wager on at least one statistical event associatedwith the random generation of dice tolls according to a set of rulesbased on statistical odds
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein multipledecks are used and wherein dealing comprises the step of randomlyselecting a card from the multiple decks and dealing the card in orderto determine the resulting amount for each deal.
 14. The method of claim12 further comprising repeating steps a and b to generate plurality withrandom numbers until a predetermined target number is generated as thestatistical event.
 15. The method of claim 12 wherein the step ofdealing further comprises using at least two separate cards fordetermining the random number.
 16. The method of claim 14 furthercomprising the step with maintaining a list of at least two of therandom numbers.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the stepwith displaying the list.
 18. The method of claim 12 wherein the step ofdealing further comprises: d) dealing to plurality of spaces; e)allowing the at least one player to select at least one of the pluralityof spaces; f) displaying the card in the at least one space selected bythe player to obtain the random number.
 19. The method of claim 12wherein the plurality of numerically numbered cards further comprises afirst set of cards and a second set of cards and wherein the step withdealing comprises dealing from the first set of cards a first numberedcard and from the second set of cards a second numbered card so that thetotal of the two cards comprises a random number.
 20. The method ofclaim 19 wherein the first set of cards and second set of cardsrepresents the numbers possible on a first and second dice having sixsides.
 21. The method of claim 12 further comprising at least onespecial card which represent an object other than the number between thepredetermined minimum and predetermined maximum.
 22. The method of claim21 wherein the selection at random of the special card provides a bonusto the player.
 23. The game of claim 22 wherein the bonus is from thegroup consisting of 1) allowing the player to pick any number from atleast one number between the predetermined minimum and predeterminedmaximum for the value of the special card, 2) providing a multiplepayout, 3) providing a special payout not related to a wager on theoccurrence of the special card, 4) providing a special payout related toa wager on the occurrence of the special card, 5) triggering an event toselect an additional play.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein thespecial card also bears a number between the predetermined minimum andpredetermined maximum.
 25. The method of claim 12 wherein dealing atleast one with a plurality with numerically numbered cards between thepredetermined minimum and predetermined maximum further comprises thesteps of repeatedly shuffling cards representing all of the potentialoutcomes of a roll of a set of two six sided dice numbered 1 through 6.26. The method of claim 25 wherein the step with dealing at least one ofa plurality of numerically numbered cards further comprises the step ofdealing a random number from the possible outcomes of two dice with sixsides and accepting a wager with a payout based on the rules from gamesfrom the group consisting of 1) traditional craps, 2) Four The Money, 3)high roller of the month, 4) highlow low craps and 5) roulette.
 27. Themethod of claim 16 wherein multiple decks are used and wherein thedealing means randomly selects a card from the multiple decks in orderto determine the resulting roll for each roll in a series.
 28. Themethod of claim 12 further comprising the steps with (1) repeating stepsa and b a plurality of times until a terminating event occurs to allow amultiple outcome wager on multiple selected outcomes during theplurality of times, and (3) maintaining a record of at least one of theplurality of the numbers selected to determine when the multiple outcomewager will be paid.
 29. The method of claim 28 where the terminatingevent is the generation of at least one target number.
 30. The game ofclaim 28 wherein the game further comprises using at least two separatenumbers for determining a total and wherein the game further comprisesmaintaining a list of the totals and allowing at least one wager forwagering on the existence of totals comprised of specific numbersbetween the predetermined minimum and predetermined maximum before theterminating event.
 31. The invention of claim 12 wherein the step ofdealing further comprising dealing a plurality of cards to a pluralityof locations for receiving the cards from the dealing means andselecting at least one first card location from the plurality of cardlocations and using the card in the first card as the at least one of aplurality of numbered cards.
 32. The method of claim 12 furthercomprising the steps of (1) marking the value of the card on the cards,(2) electronically examining the cards to locate the marking, and (3)displaying the value.
 33. The method of claim 32 further comprising thestep of maintaining a record of the values.
 34. The method of claim 33further comprising the step of notifying the user when the record ofvalues provides for a winning result on a wager.
 35. The method of claim34 further comprising the steps of (1) providing the location for thewagers, (2) electronically examining the wager placed and maintaining arecord of wagers and wherein the step of notifying further comprises thestep of comparing the record of valued to the record of wagers andnotifying the user with the winning result only when a wager is awinning wager.
 36. I claim method of playing a roulette game wherein theroulette wheel is replaced with a dealing means for randomly selecting acard from at least one deck of cards containing the numberscorresponding to the numbers on the roulette wheel which is replaced.37. I claim method of playing a dice game wherein the dice are replacedwith a dealing means for randomly selecting a card from at least onedeck of cards containing the numbers corresponding to the numbers on thedice which are replaced.